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It has been about 8 years since I went to India, and a place like that stays with you. It was a wonderful culture shock and a whirlwind of a trip involving driving a tut tut, gazing at the Taj Mahal, almost being kidnapped, meeting amazing people, crazy trains, cows, palm trees, azure waters, coconuts and bananas and of course colour, pattern and sound! Today I fancied diving back into those exciting hues and explore some interiors inspired by India. Take a peek..

Amazingly detailed room in a ice-cream blue. I love how Indian architecture is so decorative, saturated in embellishment and exotic hues.

The beauty of a hot climate is bringing the inside out, with faded pink, intricate lanterns and handmade textiles this garden is a paradise.

With so much to take in it can be nice zooming in, the powder blues here magnify the skill involved in this botanical carving.

This is very similar to a sari I have, a great way to bring some interest to window treatment.

Amazingly green! So fresh and vibrant.

You can never have too many Indian textiles! Pile them up for visual happiness.

A grand Indian home edged in candy striped pink and golden yellow. Love the canopied chairs.

There’s an old world beauty to this deep jade bathroom. Dark furniture sits alongside a myriad of pattern.

This is an easy way to add some ornate interest into your home, inlaid furniture. Though upcylcing an aged chest of draws with some bright paint, a steady hand and white stencilling might do the trick (see below).

This immensely pink interior I remember spotting in a Vogue years ago, owned by Fashion designer Liza Bruce and her artist husband.

There is an antique shop where I live that has random richly carved Indian doors, I love running my fingers over them!

Just look at the amazing detail of this room – its like a festival of colour and illustration.

If that is a little bit much for your happy home, how about adding some regal Indian opulence with a crushed velvet cushion.

And finally the amazing architecture that is the pink palace in Jaipur. Sadly I never got to see this in the flesh, but my trip to India will serve as rich pickings for inspiration for many years to come. So hope I make it back!

The kind of staircase I like is one that is elegant, falling from the ceiling like a ribbon cascading to the ground. Not clunky, asserting its presence – but brilliantly designed so you feel all the more lighter as you alight.

Like the flick of the brush this beautiful staircase makes the room.

A pool of light is revealed as the curvaceous wooden staircase cuts out the floor. I love how it follows through underneath.

This feels very architectural, perhaps not elegant but certainly refined. The white steps stretch to the sides creating a perfect perching patch.

A delightfully minimal hand rail flawlessly twists into the ground.

Old school charm! Wonderfully wide for those gigantic skirts, this staircase transitions from wood to stone effortlessly.

A rhythmic staircase with a linear balustrade. There is something quite nautical about the black tripes. Perhaps it is their uniform nature, beautifully done.

We have an Egyptian feel next with these stone steps. Spacious and gently rising out of the ground, the smooth sides allow the light to bounce.

A nod to Art Deco, these stairs create a pleasing zig-zag just stopping short of the floor.

Striking putty pink stairs reveal a cut-out handrail as they swirl down the wall.

Pleasing shapes are created with this simple black metal handrail.

Strong concrete stairs make their presence known as they twist from the ceiling.

A slight but beautiful enclosed staircase. I like the blonde wood and vertical thin white-washed strips that follow the curve.

Ending with a note of monochrome, a confident staircase that breaks away from the wall has a playful feel.

Its that breath of fresh air, green. It can be cooling, contemplative as well as bold and elegant or perhaps brash. I think the reason we love it so is because nature is so liberally painted with it, in broad varied strokes. Bringing green in the home feels, well, natural.

Not entirely sure where this colour fits, lets sit on the fence and call it blue-green. I always love a bit of wood panelling (as you can tell).

I don’t know if I would be bold enough to paint a wall in such a rich shade of forest green. I love the effect though, set off nicely by brass and a sumptuous tufted velvet settee.

A fresh look, a geometric mural in soft green, a slight blue and a rose tinted white. The Mid Century Modern touches are lovely.

What a peaceful spot, a sleeping nook with botanical touches. The carved wood is just lovely.

Sage green stairs in the perfect shade. I love them against that paper bag, I think a putty pink would be a nice complementary colour.

What an idea, pairing chalky black walls with grass green curtains! It works though, complete with a showpiece chandelier to boot.

The same emerald green here acts as backdrop for a refined floral chair.

Something about these elements would look just as happy with a great master’s muse sitting just so. The grey-green walls and worn wood are a welcome combo.

Achingly rich green is lavished on a wall of cupboards.

Something about this image is very reassuring, a stripy green coach with giant cushion sits in front of a verdant green wall. It proudly displays slightly ancient botanical prints. Not too formal, a little shabby to go along with that chic.

Our final thought uses matt shades in a new Shaker style. The charcoal grey, mint green and milky lime are a soothing blend in a space that feels old and new. In the best kind of way.

Its sizzling hot here is Cornwall today, lovely and very much holiday weather. It does make my toes appreciate a good, cool, slab of tile underfoot. In my kitchen its grey slate but today I am exploring geometric beauty and rich exotic shades. Tiles to me have a far away feel. I loved the ones I came across in India and Morocco. So much detail on something we just walk over.

This is how I think the universe would look if tiled. The deep inky blue is carved up with mesmerising shapes.

Lovely layered tiles just like mermaid scales. Every shade is beautiful in its own right.

The sun is beaming, its Friday and all I can think about is kicking back and relaxing in the garden. At home I have a lovely view with a little wooden deck, I tend to drag the furniture outside when its really nice. Today I thought I would collate some sun loungers, if money was no object, these are few I would happily have dotted around my fictional pool.

What elegant curves, gently bobbing here seems rather perfect to me.

A rocker made for two. The natural linen looks so inviting.

Or perhaps do it yourself, the internet is bursting with recycled pallet ideas, I rather like this one.

From the rustic to the surreal – pink metal palm leaves bring shade to a rather glamourous day bed.

Simple lines and neutral furnishings, a classic way to soak up some sun.

Submerged chairs in the pool! Love it.

This lounger looks poised to pounce! Red leather and steel, perfect against the matt black background.

As you may know I live in England and we have a wonderful thing called the National Trust. They basically look after our beautiful old buildings, preserving them for future generations, our coastline too. What it means is, nosey people like me can immerse themselves in amazing architecture, and imagine, what if… Near where I live in Cornwall we have Lanhydrock House, a gorgeous Victorian home that has a perfectly preserved upstairs-downstairs lifestyle.

You can get overwhelmed by the amount of embellishment and grandeur, but I like looking at the details. We actually have a company locally, Bromleighs, who specialise in period fixtures and fittings. The door handles, light switches, letterboxes etc. that fit a specific period. They have even supplied the National Trust. I mean imagine a Downton Abbey parlour with white glaringly plastic light switches!! The shock.

In praise of period details, here a few elements that shouldn’t be missed, the unsung heroes that make a space authentic.

The real-life Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle

When you are restoring a period house some people strip everything away but the bones of the place, and then fill the interior in contrast with the ultra modern. Sometimes though I think the soul can be lost. I am zoning in today on the overlooked details that can preserve the integrity of a building.

Here we have a dove grey door with a silvered handle, complementing it perfectly.

As you may well know, I am a fan of mix and match. There is quite a lot going on in this bathroom, but I think it works. What I really like is the mirror and light fittings in this dark, brassy metal.

I love these old radiators, especially in sunshine yellow!

Beautifully finished, this kind of handle would look at home on a ruggedly knotted and aged door.

The handles here, in my humble opinion, make this kitchen. Lovely rich dark blue units, marble counter tops and a touch of brass.

I love this light, so solid, so certain. Bolted onto the wall like it really belongs there!

Back to blue again, it just works so well! And what a lovely leathery colour.

Of course it is important to look up too. Georgian houses especially had beautiful freezes of intricate plaster. This is actually taken from another National Trust property, Llanerchaeron in Ceredigion.

Another great mix. I included this bathroom because of the peg hooks, a lovely detail, and because of the sage green and zesty orange combo!

My final thought goes to lighting. You can’t go wrong with a chandelier, no really. Even this rustic space is made complete with an antique-style pendant.

I love the impact simple lines can have. Bringing a form down to its bare basic is something I appreciate in art, and in an interior I think it can work too. Wire in lighting design is everywhere at the moment, be that spindly strands of LEDs or striking strong black metal or geometric bronze. These are a few that have caught my eye.

Cubist in shape, this shade hovers over its three hanging light bulbs. Designed by Anastasia Vishnevskaya, I love the boldness.

Perfect for a teenagers bedroom, this cloud has a golden lining .

You cannot underestimate the power of a simple black line! This stark and vast reception has elegant black wire pendant lights, rigid and beautiful.

In a similar vein, these pendant lights cut striking shapes in geometric forms. The black casing dangling with glowing bulbs below.

How is it that inanimate objects can project such personality? These wire table lamps to me look huddle, hunched, perhaps the lighting version of the Liverpudlian vultures in Disney’s cartoon Jungle Book!

This pair have borrow from tradition for their shape. Flared at the edge like a lady’s dress or a flower. Uniform wire spokes cage the light bulbs perfectly.

This string of lights uses presents the wire in the shape of a light bulb, simple but effective.

The close together wire here almost becomes a woven mesh. I am mesmerised by the silhouettes created by the bulbous shapes.

Could it get anymore simple – the clear black lines perfectly suspend the cone shaped shades.

This trio are diamond-like, hanging in strong geometric frames. They look heavy, substantial, maybe even bat-like and gothic.

Perfectly minimal, skewed pyramids look hand drawn mid air!

Conjuring the feel of bygone times, these skeletal lamps have feminine flair.

For my final wirey inspiration, a substantial piece of lighting design which hangs like a full fisherman’s catch. The netting of lights glows with warmth in an industrial space.